Volunteers Needed for August 24th Meal Packing Event

For the sixth year in a row, the Chamber is pleased to again sponsor the annual Meal Packing event, offering members an opportunity to personally give back to the community and to help fight hunger. On Thursday, August 24, participants are asked to donate two hours of time to assemble 40,000 meals for distribution through a partnership formed with the Hunger Resources Network with the Chicago Metropolitan division of the Salvation Army, which will feed thousands of people between now and the end of the year.
“Thanks to the success of the Chamber’s Golf Outing and Auction & Taste, funds are available to hold this event again this year,” comments President Glenn Weintraub. “And of all the events AA Service participates in, this one is our favorite. It gives all of us an immediate feeling that we are helping to meet the basic needs of others.”
The Chamber is organizing the event through a partnership with Feed 6-Outreach, a charitable organization that specializes in mobile meal packing events. Feed 6-Outreach will provide the ingredients for specially fortified macaroni and cheese dinner packets that will be filled, sealed and boxed up for delivery on a 10 – 12 person assembly line. Each packet will provide enough ingredients to feed 6 people.
Held in ballroom space graciously donated by the Hilton Chicago Northbrook, the event will be energized with lively music provided by local D.J. Charizma. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided for workers at each shift. Every year the event fosters camaraderie and friendly competitiveness.
Members are encouraged to register for one of the two shifts, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. At each shift volunteers will be assigned a single task, either measuring the ingredients, filling the plastic pouches, sealing them, or loading the boxes.
The Chamber is purchasing the supplies for the initial 40,000 meals, however additional contributions are very much appreciated and will make it possible to package even more meals. At a cost of $.25 per meal, even a small $10 donation will add 40 meals to the total. Advance donations are encouraged so that Outreach can plan ahead and provide enough supplies.
Lewis Floor and Home President Steve Lewis points out that this event offers direct benefits to those who need it. “The bottom line is there are very desperate needs, and the fact that the Northbrook Chamber has stepped up to provide both the labor and funds to meet those needs with over 50,000 meals a year for the past several years is something we should all take pride in. I encourage everyone to participate, or send in a donation to make this another successful year.”
In order to make the experience available to as many Chamber members as possible, each business is asked to limit participants to no more than 10 employees per shift. Should there be additional space, the Chamber will gladly accommodate additional volunteers.